J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Jammu issues: Cong, Panthers claim credit
Jammu, November 3
Playing to the galleries the Congress and the Panthers Party, two constituents of the Mufti-led coalition Government, today claimed credit for having included clauses aimed at removing injustice to the people of the Jammu region in the common minimum programme.

Infiltration bid foiled
Srinagar, November 3
The Army today foiled an infiltration bid by militants when the troops shot dead three Pakistani intruders near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara sector of north Kashmir, a defence spokesman said.

Jammu issues: Cong, Panthers claim credit
M.L. Kak
Tribune New Service

Jammu, November 3
Playing to the galleries the Congress and the Panthers Party, two constituents of the Mufti-led coalition Government, today claimed credit for having included clauses aimed at removing injustice to the people of the Jammu region in the common minimum programme.

Addressing separate Press Conferences here today the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, and the leader of the Panthers Party Legislature wing and a cabinet minister, Mr Harsh Dev Singh, said that they were instrumental in making the PDP-led government to agree to consider the implementation of the Wazir Committee report, set up a delimitation commission and securing place for the Dogri language in the eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Mr Harsh Dev Singh said that the Panthers Party had joined the coalition because “we felt that being in power we could end discrimination of the people in the Jammu region.”

In reply to a question Mr Mangat Ram said that the Congress supported the PDP in the formation of the government to see that the Governor’s rule was not prolonged. He said that the Congress had promised the people of the Jammu region that in case the party won an absolute majority in the Assembly a Jammuite would be elected as the Chief Minister.

He explained that since the poll verdict had thrown up a hung Assembly the Congress conceded the Chief Minister’s post to the PDP. He added that the “Congress is committed to protect the interests of the people of the Jammu region.” He said “we will fight for it” and added that the CMP was not a party manifesto but the programme of the coalition government.

Mr Sharma said that steps would be taken to remove discrimination in Jammu and Ladakh regions. In reply to another question the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Congress was not in favour of retaining POTA and in several Congress-ruled states POTA had not been implemented. He denied reports that the coalition government would be soft towards terrorists.

He explained that all the cases of detinues would be screened and those detained without any serious charges would be released and those against whom there were serious charges would be dealt with firmly.

He said that the cabinet expansion would taken place after the coalition sought vote of confidence. He also denied reports that there was annoyance among the Congress legislators for not having been inducted in the Cabinet. He said the Chief Minister could accommodate not more than 21 legislators in the council of ministers.

He hinted that independent candidates supporting the coalition would be suitably accommodated.

Mr Sharma said that under the arrangement worked out by the two principal constituents of the coalition the PDP would head the government for three years and after that it would be the turn of the Congress leader from Jammu. In that case a Kashmiri would be the Deputy Chief Minister.

Infiltration bid foiled

Srinagar, November 3
The Army today foiled an infiltration bid by militants when the troops shot dead three Pakistani intruders near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara sector of north Kashmir, a defence spokesman said.

The infiltrators opened fire on security forces, who asked the armed militants to surrender soon after they entered Indian territory in the Gagloosa area.

In retaliatory action by the Army three militants were killed, he said.

An AK assault rifle, three magazines, 780 rounds, a pistol along with its magazine, a rocket projectile gun with 12 rockets, three rucksacks, seven handgrenades and 15 UBGL grenades from them, he said.

A police officer escaped unhurt in a militant attack, while five persons, including two security personnal and two militants were killed and three securitymen injured in separate incidents in Kashmir valley since last night, a police spokesman said today.

Militants opened fire on office-cum-residence of subdivisional police officer, B.K. Rath at Chrar-e-Sharief in Badgam district of central Kashmir last night.

The guards of the officer retaliated but there was no report of any casualty on the either side, the spokesman said, adding that militants escaped leaving behind an AK magazine and six rounds which were seized.

A security jawan was killed when militant opened fire on a search party at Bhatoo in the Bandipora area of Baramulla district today, the spokesman said.

He said three more securitymen were injured in an ambush by militants at Chaklipora-Utersoo in Anantnag district last night.

He said the body of a Hizbul Mujahideen militant, Showkat Ahma Dar, alias Gowhar Yousuf, was recovered by the police from Akoora in Anantnag district today.

A Pakistani militant belonging to Al-Badr outfit, Khalid Gul was killed in an encounter with security forces at Kandi in Kupwara district of north Kashmir yesterday.

The spokesman said constable Mumtaz Ahmad, who was injured in a militant attack at Bohrikadal in downtown Srinagar last night, succumbed to his wounds today.

Mumtaz, deployed at Urdu Bazzar police division, was fired upon by militants from point blank range and seriously injured in the process.

The body of Ghulam Hassan Ahanger was fished out by the police from the Gajoora nallah in Badgam district of central Kashmir today.

Hassan, a government teacher, had been abducted and later killed by militants, the spokesman said. PTI